Venerable Father McGivney sought to strengthen the familial bond of father to mother and children to parents. Our family programs are an evolution and response to a society that seeks to weaken the bonds of family. We must make it clear that society should value a family that is faithful to God and each other. These programs, created for families by families, help us to live this call.
Food for Families (* Featured Program)
The Knights of Columbus are committed to helping end hunger through the Food for Families. Council and parish families will raise funds to support their local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens.
Councils are required to collect a minimum of $500 or 1,000 pounds of food donated. In addition, councils must contribute a minimum of 100 hours in preparations/distribution/serving meals. Supreme Council will refund $100 back to the council — up to a maximum of $500 per council per fraternal year. At the conclusion of this program, the council needs to complete the “Food for Families Refund and Plaque Application (Form #10057) by June 30 to receive credit and the refund. As a featured program, Food for Families counts for two credits towards the Columbian Award as long as they complete the above requirements. However, Councils that are unable to donate the minimum dollars or service hours can still count this program for one credit toward the Columbian Award. The council must submit the Fraternal Program Report Form #10784 when completed. For more information and posters, go to www.kofc.org/food.
Family of the Month and Family of the Year (*Featured Program)
The purpose of this program is to promote and support the development of strong and vibrant families. Each month, the council Family of the Month committee selects one parish family that models Christian family values and visibly lives them every day. The council MUST complete and submit the “Family of the Month” through the Fraternal Program Report Form (#10784) by the 15th day of the following month. For example; the Family of the Month for July, the form must be submitted by August 15. As a featured program, Family of the Month counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award when the minimum requirements (one each month) have been met.
Keep Christ in Christmas
This program is to promote the true spirit of Christmas in our homes, schools, parishes and communities. The Knights Family of Columbus offers a number of programs dedicated to bringing back the true spirit of Christmas season is about more than Santa Claus and presents. Programs such as Journey to the Inn, Light up for Christ, Crèche or Advent wreath Blessing, and the Christmas Poster Contest. These programs are centered on the example of the Holy Family and the nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The new Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) program brings all KCIC activities together under one umbrella. KCIC activities include whatever efforts best suit the parish and community of a particular council and do not need to originate from the Supreme Council.
- For councils that plan to conduct the Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest, here are the suggested dates:
- September - Order Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Kit – (CPC-Kit) and begin promoting.
- December 1 – Posters Due and judging completed shortly after.
- December 31 – Judging done by District and Diocese
- January 15 – all Diocesan winners due to State. Councils Per Capita must be paid for any winners to advance.
There are many resources from Supreme such as a guide sheet (#10604), several posters and winner certificates, all which can be found at www.kofc.org/christmas. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Family Fully Alive (*Featured Program)
This program helps families place God and the Catholic faith at the center of their lives. Using the Family Fully Alive Booklet (#10162) as a devotional guide, this program provides monthly themes, reflections, mediations, and group projects. This is a flexible program that can be started at any time of the year and continues year-round. Councils can order the Family Fully Alive booklets, posters, and additional resources on www.kofc.org/familyfullyalive. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program. As a featured program, Family Fully Alive counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award when the minimum requirements have been met.
Family Week
Activities presented in the program will strengthen the parish community and affirm the central importance of Catholic family life. Help families place God and the Catholic faith at the center of their lives, year-round. Knights of Columbus councils will dedicate a special week of the year for their parish to recognize the vital importance of families as the foundation of our domestic church and to promote Catholic family values. Councils can order suggested activities and posters at www.kofc.org/familyweek. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Good Friday Family Promotion
This program brings families into more robust practice and better understanding of our Catholic faith and the Triduum. In an effort to increase parish attendance and involvement, councils conduct a promotional campaign to educate their parishes on the vital importance of Good Friday. Councils can order “Christ: Lord and Savior” booklet, prayer cards, and posters at www.kofc.org/goodfriday. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Consecration to the Holy Family –
The purpose of this program is to revitalize our parishes by urging our parish families to devote themselves to the ideal of a familial love set by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Each family in the parish is invited to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family. To help families live out the joy of Christ, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a prayer through which families will come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family. Preparing for the Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of life for your family. Through this consecration, each participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of God’s love through his Church. Although this consecration is traditionally celebrated around the Feast of the Holy Family (first Sunday after Christmas), councils are encouraged to hold this program at any time during the year. Councils can order Preparation Guide, brochures, prayer cards, and posters at www.kofc.org/consecration. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Family Prayer Night (*Featured Program)
The Knights of Columbus Family Prayer Night is an informal gathering of families in a parishioner’s home for a night of fun activities, light faith formation, and fellowship with your parish community. The beauty of this program is in its simplicity. If you have a parish community, a gathering place, and a few appetizers, then you have a Family Prayer Night! Councils can order a Scriptural Rosary for the Family booklet, posters, and other resources at www.kofc.org/prayernight. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program. As a featured program, Family Prayer Night counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award when the minimum requirements (at least four Family Prayer Nights) have been met.